While dozens of players have left the Wolverines and taken their skills to the transfer portal, Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham has kept a lot of talent, as well as bringing in elite new athletes.
Recently, senior defensive back Jyaire Hill announced he would return to play another season for the Michigan Wolverines, despite entering the transfer portal just a few days ago. Hill's return was a massive recruiting win for Whittingham and his staff.
Kyle Whittingham's player retention is filling gaps
With Hill's return to the depth chart, likely as a starting cornerback, the defensive back room is in much better shape than many expected, especially following the news that fellow CB Jayden Sanders, who just finished his true freshman season, was heading to Notre Dame.
In 2025, Hill amassed 36 total tackles, 24 of which were solo efforts, five pass deflections, one interception, one forced fumble, and one sack.
Hill isn't the only star returning for the Wolverines next season, joining the likes of quarterback Bryce Underwood, running back Jordan Marshall, and more.
Alongside the players who are set to return for Michigan, Whittingham has brought in nine recruits from the transfer portal so far, including three from his former program, the Utah Utes.
2026 transfer portal recruits for Michigan
- JJ Buchanan, three-star tight end (Utah)
- Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, three-star quarterback (Colorado State)
- Jaime Ffrench, three-star wide receiver (Texas)
- Jonah Lea'ea, three-star EDGE (Utah)
- John Henry Daley, four-star EDGE (Utah)
- Taylor Tatum, three-star running back (Oklahoma)
- Trey Butkowski, three-star kicker (Pitt)
- Cam Brown, three-star punter (UNLV)
- Nico Crawford, three-star long snapper (Pitt)
As of now, the Wolverines' incoming transfer portal class ranks 69th in the country, adding to Michigan's most recent recruiting class, which earned a sixth-place spot in the national standings.
Whittingham has lost 27 players to the portal, something that is beyond common when a program loses a head coach (no matter the reason). A she continues to recruit more top transfer talent, the Wolverines can expect their national ranking to soar.